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[[Image:Mzab valley settlement.jpg|right|thumb|250px|One of the settlements in the M'Zab Valley]]

[[Image:Mzab valley settlement.jpg|right|thumb|250px|One of the settlements in the M'Zab Valley]]

The [[M'Zab Valley]] is located in the northern [[Sahara desert|Sahara]], in the Ghardaïa wilaya province of [[Algeria]], around 600km south of [[Algiers]]. The area is the site of a unique grouping of settlements, and there is evidence of systematic occupation of the land, and the adaptation of a strikingly original architecture to its semi-desert environment, since the beginning of the 11th century.  

The [[M'Zab Valley]] is located in the northern [[Sahara]], in the Ghardaïa wilaya province of [[Algeria]], around 600km south of [[Algiers]]. The area is the site of a unique grouping of settlements, and there is evidence of systematic occupation of the land, and the adaptation of a strikingly original architecture to its semi-desert environment, since the beginning of the 11th century.  

The selection of this area as a home by the Ibadi people was based primarily on the defensive advantages it offered to the community, who were determined to protect their [[Religion|religious]], [[Society|social]] and [[Morality|moral]] ideals even at the expense of geographical isolation. There are five ''ksour'' (fortified villages) situated on the rocky outcrops of the valley: El Atteuf, Bou Nora, Beni Isguen, Melika and Ghardaia. Each of these settlements was encircled by fortified walls and dominated by a [[mosque]], the [[minaret]] of which was used as a watchtower. The mosques were constructed with [[arsenal|arsenals]] and grain stores, and intended to serve as a fortress in themselves, a last refuge in the event that the village was laid under siege. The houses of the community were then built in concentric circles around the mosque, extending to the outer fortifications.

The selection of this area as a home by the Ibadi people was based primarily on the defensive advantages it offered to the community, who were determined to protect their [[Religion|religious]], [[Society|social]] and [[Morality|moral]] ideals even at the expense of geographical isolation. There are five ''ksour'' (fortified villages) situated on the rocky outcrops of the valley: El Atteuf, Bou Nora, Beni Isguen, Melika and Ghardaia. Each of these settlements was encircled by fortified walls and dominated by a [[mosque]], the [[minaret]] of which was used as a watchtower. The mosques were constructed with [[arsenal|arsenals]] and grain stores, and intended to serve as a fortress in themselves, a last refuge in the event that the village was laid under siege. The houses of the community were then built in concentric circles around the mosque, extending to the outer fortifications.